May Nature Notes

by David Tidmarsh - 16:59 on 17 May 2012

Finally, I have arrived home with feet still dry after walking the dog, it may seem like a simple task but with some areas having had their drought status just lifted, I feel we should have started building an Ark. A good friend of mine who is an ex pitman was explaining to me last week about the terminology the miners used to describe wet weather payments in the days when coal mining was the main industry; you had to be working in water to claim wet water payments, however if it was just dripping on you underground it was described as “dry water” this is what “Down South” must be getting as some are still classed as drought areas! The weather is still very unsettled and we still have the threat of early frosts. I have been watching the Ash trees closely, as regular readers of these notes will know that the Ash rarely opens its leaves till all threat of frost has gone, and this season is no exception. Signs of frost damage can be seen clearly on some Apple blossom that has been killed off by these frosts.
Even just the odd day of sunshine can lift your spirits, which have been few and far between.
We were fortunate on May bank holiday, as over twenty of us enjoyed a two mile walk around the village with feet almost dry. Some wonderful Cow slips were seen at New Lambton, this wet period must be ideal for these plants as I have never noticed them as colourful as they are this year. They have braved the downpours and are still looking good.
Dandelions have taken over the yellow displays from the Daffodils which have all but finished, I am pleased with the Daffs that our group planted, late in the season, along the verges near Wapping Bridge have managed to produce a late flash of colour. We didn’t plan it that way it was just a bargain sale at the Garden Centre, sadly this will probably be our last purchase there.
The woods are closing in now with the new leaf growth in full swing, I personally like the enclosure, but some may feel more insecure or threatened. It is a sad thing that people may find this intimidating rather than something to be enjoyed.    
Things may be looking up as the May flower of the Hawthorn are almost ready to open, I think these are also keeping tightly closed till the weather gets dryer, you all know the saying “Don’t cast a clout till the May is out” truer words never spoken!
Early signs of corn poppies have been seen on my journey to work; these are growing merrily on a bit of waste ground obviously self seeded or well established, I always think these have a mind of their own; never sticking to a regular time to flower, just making the best use of location and conditions.
Some lovely scents are abounding in the woods with the Bird Cherry blossom out in full bloom; a lot of the normal cherry blossom has been dashed by these heavy outbursts of rain, only time will tell if the fruits will yield any significant crops.
The seasons have a significant impact on the young Tit families who rely on feeding their young with caterpillars, so if the butterfly eggs hatch out too late to produce the caterpillars that are essential for these young, then some broods will starve.
Such are the wonders of Nature. Fingers crossed for some Sunshine.     
  Ken.

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